Stanford looks like the favorite, but the interesting strategy to watch Saturday will be where teams use their star sprinters – both Simone Manuel and Abbey Weitzeil could anchor or lead off. And where they swim just might be the difference-maker if the race gets tight.

2017 champion Baker was out with the lead in 24.02, clearing American Record pace, but Stanford’s Howe shot off the final wall with a huge underwater to blow by her, pulling into the wall just ahead of Wisconsin’s Nelson as baker faded to 3rd.

A representative for Virginia Tech tells SwimSwam that the team was granted a re-swim because the meet referee determined that their leadoff swimmer was not given the same opportunity as other athletes due to a disturbance from an official.